In situ synthesis of a highly crystalline Tb-doped YAG nanophosphor using the mesopores of silica monoliths as a template

• Published in: Journal of materials chemistry. C, Materials for optical and electronic devices Vol. 3; no. 19; pp. 5041 - 5049
• Main Authors: Aboulaich, Abdelhay, Caperaa, Nathalie, El Hamzaoui, Hicham, Capoen, Bruno, Potdevin, Audrey, Bouazaoui, Mohamed, Chadeyron, Geneviève, Mahiou, Rachid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Crystal structure; Emission; Nanostructure; Optoelectronic devices; Phosphors; Photoluminescence; Porosity; Silicon dioxide
• ISSN: 2050-7526; 2050-7534
• DOI: 10.1039/C5TC00587F

This report describes the first synthesis of a highly crystalline YAG:Tb nanophosphor inside the pores of a mesoporous silica monolith (MSM). A simple wet impregnation procedure using a YAG:Tb sol and a MSM platform prepared by a sol–gel method was adopted to prepare highly homogeneous MSM–YAG:Tb luminescent composites. The morphological, structural and luminescence properties of in situ generated YAG:Tb nanocrystals, investigated using XRD, TEM, HRTEM, EDS, FTIR, nitrogen gas sorption and photoluminescence measurements, were compared to those of the bulk YAG:Tb phosphor. The specific surface area and the pore volume of the MSM host material were found to be lower when YAG:Tb nanoparticles were grown in the pores of the MSM material. The particle diameter of the nano-sized YAG:Tb phosphor was estimated to be about 23 nm. The MSM–YAG:Tb composite exhibited a strong green fluorescence emission with the characteristic main emission band of Tb 3+ located at 548 nm. The prepared composite also showed a shorter photoluminescence (PL) lifetime and excitation bands shifted to lower wavelengths compared to the neat YAG:Tb phosphor. The as-prepared MSM–YAG:Tb material could be integrated into optoelectronic devices and holds good potential to be applied in decorative lighting.